What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forestry Summer Intern position at Harris County?
About Harris County Flood Control District:
The District’s mission is to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County, the third most populated county in the United States with a population of 4.7 million, including the City of Houston - the nation's fourth largest city. The Flood Control District also has authority over the county's primary stormwater facilities, consisting of roughly 1,500 channels spanning nearly 2,500 miles. Additionally, we are responsible for managing over 60 regional stormwater detention basins, covering more than 10,000 acres, as well as several wetlands mitigation banks, including Greens Bayou.What you will do at Harris County Flood Control District:
The Harris County Flood Control District (District) is seeking interns to join our Vegetation Management team. The services our team provides cover a wide range of vegetation types and programs that include over 2,500 miles of channels, basins and buy-out lots throughout Harris County. As an intern, you will work closely with the department’s staff forester in connection with the District’s tree inventory and assessment program.This 12-week paid internship program will provide candidates with an exciting opportunity to learn ‘real world’ experience and gain clarity on their ideal career path. Working with our organization will also offer the opportunity to contribute to various community development initiatives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Travel to project locations throughout Harris County.
- Collect tree data on newly planted sites such as species, dbh. height, general condition, and other pertinent information.
- Transfer field-collected data to tree database and produce reports based on the data.
- Assist the department’s staff forester in the identification of desirable species to be saved during selective clearing operations.
- Perform other duties that may be added or changed as the course and scope of the job directs.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Education & Experience:
- Two (2) years of college-level Forestry, Botany, or Horticulture with a strong emphasis on tree and plant identification.
Licensure:
Valid Class "C" Texas Driver’s License
- Must be able to read and comprehend written material such as safety cautions/warnings, maps, traffic signs, operating instructions, and work
procedures. - Must be able to identify common tree species of Southeast Texas and have a general understanding of the silvical characteristics of those species.
- Must be self-motivated and team-oriented.
- Must be able to solve simple mathematical problems associated with normal work situations.
- Excellent verbal & written communication skills. Able to communicate effectively with co-workers, industry, and/or governmental representatives.
- Strong skills using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
- Experience using field GPS data collection unit (preferred)
Position Type, Salary:
Internship | Seasonal | 40 hours per week
Salary: To be discussed at interview
Location:
Facilities Maintenance | 7522 Prairie Oak Drive, Houston, TX 77086
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying of items up to 11 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
- Frequent driving of a vehicle with automatic controls and four-wheel drive.
- Occasional walking up and down steep slopes of ditches or on rough and uneven surfaces or ground such as sloping terrains, plowed or furrowed areas, or construction sites.
- Approximately 85% of duties are performed outdoors, where there will be routine exposure to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture, air pollution, wind and dust, wildlife, and flying/walking insects.
- When at field locations, may be exposed to vibration and/or noise in excess of 85 decibels.
- Approximately 15% of duties are performed indoors in a normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, air conditions, and noise levels.
- May be exposed to fluids, compounds, or chemicals used in cleaning offices and/or work areas.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
Salary : $20,800
